TILBURY have the chance to make up ground on Isthmian North leaders Bury Town when the Suffolk side visit the EMR Stadium on Saturday (14 December).

Bury are 11 points ahead of the fourth-placed Dockers, but have played a match more. 

The hosts will go into the match with a new keeper after David Hughes was recalled by parent club Bowers and Pitsea.

Tilbury wasted little time in signing a replacement with former Basildon United stopper George Marsh being recruited from Brightlingsea Regent. 

A couple of weeks ago Tilbury made history in the first match at Cambridge City's new stadium. 

And they won!

Grays Athletic will be hoping for a similar outcome when they travel to the FWD-IP Community Stadium in Sawston as they seek to maintain their promotion challenge.

Like Tilbury, Grays have missed a couple of matches due to the weather - so both borough sides should be refreshed for their respective challenges.  

Also like Tilbury, Vanarama National South Aveley have recruited a new keeper in midweek. 

They have signed James Holden from fellow Vanarama National South side Hemel Hempstead Town.

Holden, 23, signs for The Millers to add competition to the goalkeeping department and brings with him experience of playing in the National League, National South and in the FA Trophy this season against Aveley at Parkside where he made a string of fine saves and awarded man of the match.

The keeper started his youth career at Bury where he played in a FA Youth Cup Quarter final against Premier League Liverpool with the Liverpool squad featuring Neco Williams and seven other players who have gone on to play for numerous seasons in the EFL.

In September 2019 Holden joined Reading, whilst at Reading he signed professional terms which kept him at the club until June 2022. 

During his time at Reading James went out on loan to Bognor Regis Town, Bracknell Town and Maidenhead United. 

After leaving Reading, he joined Cambridge United in June 2022 where he would stay until June 2024, during his time at The Abbey, James went out on loan to Vanarama Naitonal South sides Dulwich Hamlet and Welling United.

In June 2024, he departed the EFL League One side and joined Hemel.

Moving on from Millers, though retaining dual registration is left back Alex Kpakpe who has joined Isthmian Premier League side Wingate & Finchley who sit fourth in the table.

Kpakpe joined Millers ahead of their trip to take on Torquay United and went on to make 13 appearances in all competitions.

After last week's FA Trophy defeat at Barnet Aveley are back in Vanarama National South action with a trip to take on Tonbridge Angels.

The last time these two met was the second game of the season where Aveley led twice with goals from Josh Anifowose and Garrett Kelly, but a penalty on the stroke of half time from Vincent and an equaliser from Sean Shields saw both clubs leave the game with a point a piece.

Last season The Millers drew away at Tonbridge on a Tuesday night where Siju Odelusi's penalty in the first half was cancelled out by a header from a corner in the second half to share the points.

Following back-to-back victories and last weekend off because of the weather, East Thurrock Community FC visit Earls Colne in the Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division.